Blotter-bath and absorbent material therefor.



No. 637,985. Patented Nov. 28, I899. H. M. ADAMS.

BLOTTER BATH AND ABSORBENT MATEBlA L THEREFOR.

(Application filed Mar. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.)

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT M. ADAMS, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

BLOTTER-BATH AND ABSORBE NT MATERIAL THEREFOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 637,985, dated November 28, 1899.

Application filed March 23, 1899.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERBERT M. ADAMS, of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blotter-Baths and Absorbent Material Therefor; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in devices for receiving and retaining in a moist condition for a considerable length of time blotters or cloths used in letter-presses or manifolding mechanisms.

One object of the invention is to so construct a blotter-bath that the cover may form a receptacle for the upper stone, in which said stone may be removably supported when the bath-cabinet is open for access to the blotters or cloths.

Another object is to improve the construction of the upper stone and its frame.

Still another object is to produce an improved composition for the stones, whereby a larger percentage of moisture is received by the same and gradually supplied to the cloths or blotters placed therebetween.

The invention consists in the absorbent composition from which the stones are formed.

The invention also consists in a box or cabinet having a hinged cover with a raised lip adapted to fit over the edges of box when closed, abody of absorbent material placed in the box and having a flat upper surface, and an independent body or stone formed of absorbent material combined with strengthening devices, whereby the upper stone may serve as a moisture-supplying press when placed on the cloths in the box and may be bodily removed therefrom and removably mounted in the cover by the raised lip on which it is retained and protected.

The invention also consists in a stone for devices of this character comprising a frame open on its upper and lower faces and having stays in the nature of anchorages and a body of absorbent material applied to said frame and anchorages. I

The invention also consists in such other novel features of construction or composition Serial No. 710,209. (No model.)

of material, as shall hereinafter be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of i the improved blotter-bath in the open position, portions of the same being broken away. Fig. 2 represents a View, partially in section, of the upper stone or press, more clearly showing its mechanical construction.

Similar numbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

In carrying out my invention I construct a box or cabinet generally rectangular in shape and having the sides 5 5 and ends 6 6, on the outer surface of which, near their upper edges, is the bead 7. Hinged to one side of the box is the cover 8, having the upwardlyturned lip 9, which extends around the four,

edges of the cover and is designed to fit down over the edges of the box sides and ends onto the head 7 to more thoroughly close the box against undue evaporation of the moisture therein.

Within the box is placed a stone or slab 10, of absorbent material, the composition of which will hereinafter be described. This body of material may be applied to the box in a plastic condition and flattened down on its upper surface, or it may be formed in the shape of a flat block and placed in the box after it has assumed a sufficient rigidity for handling.

The top stone or absorbent press comprises a rim 11, having the lifting-rings 12 12 and a series of oppositely-disposed V or trough shaped stays 13 13, which are secured at their ends to the frame 11 and form anchorage-suspending devices for the absorbent material 14:, which is applied to the frame in a plastic condition and in which composition the stays 13 are Wholly embedded.

The upper and lower stones are formed of a composition including absorbent material, a binder of acementitious nature,and chemicals designed to prevent the souring of the moisture in the box. This material is comprised of the following-named materials in essentially the following proportions: plaster-of-paris, forty parts; wood-pulp, ten parts; water, fifty parts; lime, five parts; carbolic acid, two parts, and sugar, depending on the porosity to be had in the finished stone, approximately percentage of water.

two to five parts. These ingredients, with the exception of the sugar, are thoroughly mixed together. The sugar is then added and mixed through the mass and the composition is applied to the frame 11, to the box, or is placed in molds to form blocks, as 10. When placed in the box, the upper surface of the material is flattened out to form a smooth su rface, on which blotters or cloths may be placed, and in applying the material to the frame 11 both of the surfaces are flattened in order that this press-block may lie flat on the cloths in the box. Coincident with the formation of the composition the sugar dissolves in the excess of moisture and leaves cells or pores in the finished mass, While the wood-pulp from its fibrous nature draws in or absorbs a large It is of course obvious that other fibrous material than Wood-pulp may be used as a substitute therefor.

When the device is brought into use, the cloths or blotters are placed in a flat position on the stone or block 10, a small quantity of Water is poured over them, and the absorbent press-block, formed by the frame 11 and its material, is placed on top of the cloths and the cover 8 is closed tightly down over the upper edge of the box. Through the nature of the material the moisture will be equally distributed to all parts of the cloths between the stones, While the upper stone will hold the cloths pressed out flat in the best position to receive the moisture. As the moisture from the cloths evaporates the moisture stored in the wood-pulp and in the pores of the blocks will be yielded to the cloths, thus keeping them moist and in condition for use without them being unduly wet.

In obtaining access to the cloths the cover 8 is opened on its hinges and turned back, as shown. The upper block is then lifted by the rings 12 and placed in the cover 8 when it is supported from lateral movement by the lip 9, which also tends to protect the blocks.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A blotter-bath comprising a box having a hinged. cover circnmferentiat lip, a body of absorbent material in the box, and an absorbent press-block adapted to be contained within the box and having means whereby it may be lifted therefrom and placed in said cover.

2. The removable absorbent press-block for blotter-baths, comprising a frame having anchorage-stays and a body of absorbent material applied to said frame and stays in a plastic condition.

3. In a blotter-bath a press-block comprising the frame 11 having the rings 12 12 and the trough-shaped stays 13 13, and a body of absorbent material mounted in said frame.

4. Absorbent material for blotter-baths consisting of a composition of plaster-of-paris, sawdust, water, lime, a preservative acid, and granulardissolvable material, in approximately the proportions herein named.

HERBERT M. ADAMS.

WVitnesses:

W. STANLEY CAMPBELL, HENRY J. MILLER. 

